Inspector V

DSHS is committed to hiring skilled and dedicated individuals who share a passion for public health to pursue our vision of A Healthy Texas.

About the role

This position is based in Odessa, Texas, and covers all surrounding counties. The headquarters assignment may change to accommodate the mission and goals of the Meat Safety Assurance Unit. Under the direct supervision of the Meat Safety Assurance (MSA) Circuit Manager and the general management of the MSA Unit Manager, this role performs complex inspections, investigations, and quality assurance reviews at establishments with a state grant (permit/license) to perform livestock slaughter and/or meat/poultry processing operations. The role ensures compliance with State and Federal laws, rules, regulations, and agency policies. Through the Federal/State cooperative inspection program, the Inspector carries out these functions in establishments with a USDA Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) grant but staffed by MSA.

Safe operation of a state-owned or personal vehicle is required to conduct state business, and an acceptable driving record must be maintained in accordance with DSHS policies.

Responsibilities

• Evaluates livestock slaughter and/or meat/poultry processing establishments to determine continuous compliance with all applicable State and Federal laws, rules, and regulations. Performs ante-mortem and post-mortem procedures in livestock slaughter establishments and/or monitors/verifies processing activities in meat/poultry processing establishments. Ensures compliance with humane slaughter requirements, performs daily sanitation inspections (pre-operation & during operation), scheduled inspection tasks generated by a risk-based computer inspection system, and/or unscheduled inspection tasks. Verifies establishment’s food safety systems (e.g., Sanitation Performance Standards (SPS), Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOP), Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) systems, and other prerequisite plans).
• Identifies all establishment regulatory noncompliance(s) and properly documents them on Noncompliance Records (NR). Evaluates the establishment’s corrective actions, preventive measures, and supporting documentation.
• Receives inspection schedules and reports results using a computer and electronic mail. Records findings of reviews and inspections. Prepares and submits technical reports outlining violations of regulations, SPS, SSOP, HACCP plans, and humane slaughter using word processing, spreadsheets, the internet, and email. Ensures all DSHS and MSA required documentation is accurate, concise, and timely. Coordinates work schedules to provide inspection coverage between/among assigned establishments.
• Monitors establishment microbiological sampling systems and collects tissue samples for mandated State microbiological and economic sampling programs. Monitors and collects tissue samples for in-plant and National Tissue Residue Sampling Program. Documents and prepares collected samples and submits them in a timely manner to the appropriate designated laboratory.
• Evaluates formulae and methods used in preparing meat/poultry products to assess their potential as a vehicle for disease transmission. Makes recommendations concerning label compliance using mathematical and analytical analysis. Appraises the effects of new processing methods and stays informed of changes in labeling, product formulation, and preparation methods.
• Researches policy, rules, regulations, directives, notices, and other regulatory documents to properly identify and dispose of non-compliances noted during inspections. Provides responses to establishment management’s inspection-related questions. Serves as a liaison between the MSA Circuit Manager and establishment management.
• Other duties as assigned, including but not limited to:
  • Recognizing zoonotic diseases, reporting them to the appropriate authority, and participating in their investigation.
  • Serving as a relief inspector in livestock slaughter and/or meat/poultry processing establishments as directed by a supervisor.
  • Promoting public education on sanitary practices through individual contacts and/or civic or public meetings.
  • Actively participating in disaster response, recovery, or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation, which may require alternate shift patterns or locations.

Requirements

• Must possess a valid Class C (or higher) Texas driver’s license or equivalent license from another state and maintain an acceptable driving record.
• Graduation from a standard senior high school or equivalent.

Qualifications

The following criteria are generally preferred but not required. The hiring supervisor may consider applicants who do not meet these criteria and may give preference to those who do:

• Course credit from an accredited two- or four-year college or university, particularly with major coursework relevant to animal/food science, livestock slaughter, and/or meat/poultry processing.
• Graduation from an accredited two- or four-year college or university, particularly with major coursework relevant to animal/food science, livestock slaughter, and/or meat/poultry processing.
• Training from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS) in Sanitation Performance Standards (SPS), Sanitary Standard Operating Procedures (SSOP), Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP), Humane Slaughter, and/or food microbiological sampling, or equivalent education and/or experience.
• Experience in a public health and/or animal health-related field.
• Experience with all phases of livestock slaughter and/or meat/poultry processing operations and procedures.
• Experience with state and/or federal laws, regulations, rules, and directives relevant to livestock slaughter and meat/poultry processing.

Skills

• Thorough knowledge of all phases of livestock slaughter operations and meat/poultry processing and fabrication procedures.
• Knowledge of Sanitation Performance Standards (SPS), principles and application of Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOP), Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), humane slaughter, pathogen reduction, and other mandated quality control programs within the meat/poultry industry.
• Knowledge of inspection protocols specific to a HACCP establishment environment.
• Knowledge of State and Federal laws, rules, regulations, directives, notices, and other regulatory documents.
• Knowledge of the principles, practices, and procedures of veterinary medicine; animal and human disease prevention and control methods; zoonosis diseases and controls; food animal anatomy; epidemiology; techniques used in specimen collection and testing; state and federal livestock disease control rules, regulations, methods, and practices.
• Working knowledge of regulations governing safe and effective insect and rodent control.
• Skill in conducting inspections, determining proper courses of action, and using instruments or tools necessary to perform inspections and collect samples.
• Skill in applying basic mathematics using addition, subtraction, division, multiplication, fractions, decimals, percentages, parts per million, and weights/measures.
• Ability to prepare reports, gather and analyze data, interpret laws and regulations, and train others.
• Ability to rationalize clearly, exercise sound judgment, and evaluate words and phrases commonly used on meat product labels, technical reports, and similar documents.
• Ability to deal with people tactfully and help them understand the full implications of regulatory requirements found in State and Federal laws, rules/regulations, and other regulatory documents.
• Ability to explain the proper interpretation of technical requirements pertaining to SPS, SSOP, HACCP, humane slaughter, and trade labeling.
• Ability to follow oral and written directions implicitly.
• Ability to establish and maintain working relationships and express ideas clearly and concisely.
• Ability to detect the normal from the abnormal in the inspection process.
• Ability to pass a standardized color vision test.
• Ability to identify sanitary deficiencies and potential disease conditions of livestock.
• Ability to use a computer for word processing, spreadsheets, and email.

Pay

$4,263.16 - $6,779.25 per month.

Schedule

• Full-time, regular position.
• Day shift.
• Travel up to 70%.
• Not eligible for telework.

Benefits

DSHS offers insurance coverage and other benefits available through the State of Texas Group Benefits Plan administered by the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS). For more details, visit the DSHS Careers Page.